Three Amigos

This painting began as grey-scale in acrylic. Once completely dried I used water-soluble oil paint. 

 

Furry Friends

Painting people’s pets are challenging. Like people, animals also display a certain facial expression that only their owners love or know more than any others. 

When you hear the eyes are the gateway to the soul. I believe it shows individual expression and we all have our uniqueness including pet.

These two cuties below are my grand-pets and were done for a Christmas gift. 

 

 

Unconventional Creativity

How could a painting undergo such a dramatic transformation? That question haunts me every time I gaze upon it in its current state. Initially, I had captured a serene scene of a mother goose and her goslings gliding peacefully along the Mississippi shoreline in a photograph, envisioning it as the perfect subject for a painting.

Over the course of four years, I made numerous attempts to bring this vision to life on canvas, only to have the original concept ultimately lost forever. As I've noted in my blog previously, when faced with uncertainty in my painting process, my creations often veer into the realm of the bizarre, resulting in an unintended and often disappointing transformation. Below, I present the various iterations of this once-promising 48” x 24” canvas painting.

You might be curious why I don't simply begin anew on a fresh canvas. Primarily, it's because I aim to repurpose and salvage what I've already started. Additionally, I find it beneficial for practicing techniques or illustrating subjects without squandering another canvas.

The intended subject 

Original 

Complete

Fig 1

Fig 2

Fig 3

Fig 4

Fig 5

Fig 6

Fig 7 

Fig 8

Profound Seasons

Living in the Midwest offers a firsthand encounter with the full spectrum of seasons, from mild to wild. Our weather can swing dramatically, from droughts to deluges, tornados to blizzards, all sometimes in a single day. It's a whirlwind of nature's extremes.

Yet amidst this tumult, each season paints its own breathtaking landscape. As a nature enthusiast, I find endless inspiration in the diverse textures, colors, and subjects that each season unveils.

Reflecting on my journey as an artist, I've seen my style evolve alongside the changing seasons. It's funny to think back on how I use to eagerly anticipate rapid improvement from one painting to the next, only to realize true progress takes time—sometimes a decade or more.

Whether it's the weather or personal growth, change can feel like a slow process. But when viewed in the context of a lifetime, it's just a fleeting moment in time.

 

Home Sweet Home

This painting was the residence of my Aunt and Uncle I created for them before they moved from their beloved home.

 

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Legends Of Barns

 

Hiking around Swiss Valley Nature Preserve in Iowa; I spied this ramshackle barn tucked amongst the timber.

While out driving around  the QC area in Illinois, you may spot a barn around every corner. During the early mornings this one often catches my eye with how the light plays off the dark shadows.

Some barns have working animals others transform into versatile spaces, hosting weddings, art exhibitions, or homes all while retaining their rustic charm and preserving echoes of their agricultural past.

Nestled amid golden fields, barns stand proud, guardians of tradition and keepers of the countryside's secrets.

Nestled in rural landscapes, horse farms are as plentiful as cattle or swine.

Big Red's retain their iconic status, exuding timeless charm even in the absence of a fresh coat of paint.

Some barns just go with the landscape.

Some barns have more character just waiting to show case their story. 

Modern barns will eventually take place of the old craftsman style barns as those bygone days fade away.

Big Red on Illinois Highway 67

Weekend escapade to the serene shores of Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting its golden hues over Hwy 67 and the undulating hills, a majestic Big Red barn stood out in its striking crimson hue, practically begging for a snapshot to capture its bold statement against the fading light.

This particular painting marked one of my first ventures into the realm of palette knife techniques. Undoubtedly, there lies a journey of many more practice sessions ahead before I can truly feel at ease and confident with these artistic methods.